They are also a risk for the 35% of U.S. adults with a vitamin D deficiency, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In fact, they're so common, they account for 3 million U.S. health care visits annually.

Because shin splints cause ongoing pain, "they can certainly take the enjoyment out of any type of exercise," says Dr. Matthew Anastasi, a sports medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Once the discomfort becomes unbearable, shin splints are usually diagnosed by one's healthcare provider after he or she conducts a physical examination and understands what physical activity may ...

How to use KT tape for shin splints Because KT tape stretches, it allows you to move as you typically do, so you can still log the miles in your training plan. Yuen recommends taping the area per ...